The Geekcap: 12 Monkeys "Bodies of Water"

In a grand room, Olivia drinks a liquid from a basin. Then, she encounters a vision in the red forest and enters the house. She questions the Witness on the events that occurred since they went against the original plan foretold to them. A message on the wall assures her that “time evolves” and then tells her to find Cassandra Raily. Olivia responds that the doctor has nothing to do with their mission now only to be assaulted with walls filled with the word “no.” She wakes to find the Pallid Man who, unlike her, comprehends the changing timeline ahead of them. She orders him to find Cassie.

Meanwhile, in 2044, Jones shows Cole the red sky outside their base, predicting the end of time. They confront the Daughters, but they state that Jennifer will only see Cole. He meets the older Jennifer for the first time and discuss the situation before them. The Army of the 12 Monkeys is killing primaries to cause paradoxes, putting Jennifer in danger. She maintains that in this period she is safe with the protection of her Daughters, but she does warn that even one more dead primary could throw the world off balance. However, the two figure that with Jennifer from 2016 they can locate other primaries to secure them. Cole offers to go back, but Jennifer stops her. She remembers the encounter in the past, but it wasn’t Cole who came for her. It was Cassie.

Cassie is less enthusiastic about going back for Jennifer Goines, but Cole explains to her that she has to as reported by Jennifer. Ramse actually agrees with Cassie considering Jennifer’s sporadic behavior while Cole continues to defend her. Cassie agrees to go and, off Cole’s concern, states that she will put a report in the newspaper for him to come after her if things go horribly.

Eckland walks out to find Jones smoking on the roof instead of being present at the splinter. He states that she was never one to miss a splinter in the time he’s known her. Jones instead remarks on how the events now are simply proving how fruitless their actions have been. Eckland simply barks at her to cut her self-wallowing and to come back into the lab, something that surprises Jones. She asks if he usually talked to her that way to which Eckland replies that he did. Before they leave, he spots one of Deacon’s men running back into the facility.

The man arrives stating that he escaped one of Deacon’s enemies the Foreman. Deacon, however, questions how he escaped when the other four men died. Believing that the man betrayed him by running, Deacon shoots his soldier, leaving him to die in the hall. Ramse witnesses the event, horrified that Deacon was allowed to kill openly inside of the base.

Deacon then confronts Cassie on what happened. She argues that he can’t openly kill people like that, but he states that he needs to eliminate people who would betray him. He’s more confused that Cassie would go back to help Jennifer since she earlier was willing to kill her. Cassie simply takes the serum and prepares to splinter. Cole confronts Deacon on killing the man, but Deacon instead cracks about Cassie having to go back to fix Cole’s mess.

Deacon: Hey look, it's time-Jesus.

In 2016, Jennifer lives a peaceful life with no visions thanks to a regulated system of pills. She meets with some friends at the Emerson Hotel’s bar, much to the disappointment of them. With Jennifer’s money, they should be able to go anywhere, but Jennifer hints that she’s waiting for someone. She then leaves to speak to the bellboy. Upon her usual request, he reveals today that there is someone in room 607. Jennifer quickly runs to the room, only to be shocked and disappointed to see Cassie. Cassie quickly tries to take Jennifer, but the woman refuses after living a life without the visions. Cassie warns her that the army is killing primaries and already killed Tommy Crawford who recognized Jennifer’s name. The two are interrupted by one of Jennifer’s friends who immediately attacks Cassie. Cassie then fights back and evacuates Jennifer out of the hotel.

Cole then confronts Jones about Deacon’s recent killings. Jones states that while she is not okay with the killing she must appease Deacon for the West 7 protection. With the state of things now, she believes they are vulnerable to the outside world. Ramse then argues that they are vulnerable inside if they keep playing by Deacon’s rules. Jones refuses to hear more about it, but the two men believe that it would be for the best if Deacon were no longer on the base.

Cassie drives Jennifer, though both women are still upset at being forced together by older Jennifer. Jennifer still states that she no longer sees the visions due to her drugs. They then stop at a gas station where Cassie goes through Jennifer’s belongings and drugs. Cassie theorizes if they stop Jennifer’s intake that they can restart the visions but then realizes that they need a trigger to activate them. 

Cassie explores Jennifer’s old asylum files and spots something referring to Jennifer’s mother. At the memory, Jennifer then stops and starts seeing a vision of an old woman. Since the trigger has proven to start the vision, Jennifer agrees to visit the site of her trauma, her family’s summer house, after they stop for some snacks. At this change, Olivia and the Pallid man start to track the women after discovering Cassie’s plan to find the primaries by mentioning Tommy Crawford.

At the Goines summer house, Jennifer recalls her time there. She states that the place has been preserved since it emerged from her mother’s wealth rather than her father, ensuring someone else owning the place. Jennifer spots the woman again as they enter her childhood room. Inside the bedroom are various disturbing drawings including the witness. Jennifer reveals that her mother hated them as she too was mentally disordered. Her mother, however, went further than Jennifer and tried to drown the young Jennifer as a child in the bathtub. After that, her father had the woman committed, the same old woman she keeps seeing. At this revelation, Cassie also confides in Jennifer that her own mother died when she was ten. Jennifer remarks that neither one of them got to say goodbye to their mothers.

Back in 2044, Deacon plans with his army to take on the Foreman before Cole and Ramse arrive. They state that they spotted an anomaly outside the base near the Foreman and need to check it out for Jones. Deacon eventually agrees to join them on the drive.

With Jennifer seeing the visions again, the two go over Jennifer’s old drawings to see connections to any primaries. Jennifer recognizes one drawing related to a man named Kyle Slade who was likely a primary. Cassie recognizes another drawing referring to Fear City, otherwise known as New York in the 1970’s. Cassie then suggests for Jennifer to take her pills as a reward for finding information, but they are interrupted by the arrival of the Pallid Man. He reveals that the date is actually 1975, where they have or will confront each other again. He and a follower point guns at the two, forcing them to surrender. Cassie instead fights back, threatening to shoot Jennifer and ruin their plans to kill primaries. However, the Pallid Man correctly assumes that Cassie does not have the nerve to kill someone like Jennifer. The two women are then taken.

Pallid Man: We sent 2 Messengers there after him…will send. It’s all this time travel…It’s tricky to follow…rewarding when you do.

Cole, Ramse, and Deacon ride a military vehicle outside of the base. Deacon once again denounces Ramse for his role in the plague, claiming that his kill list is larger than his own ever was. Deacon also questions why Cole left the West 7 for Ramse, but Cole replies that it was out of loyalty, something Deacon never understood. Deacon instead waits for the lab to provide a world better than the one they have now.

The Pallid Man arrives to tell Olivia of his acquisition of Jennifer and Cassie. However, he believes that he should be the one to confront the two. Olivia still takes charge and confronts the women. She orders Jennifer to be taken out as she continues Cassie’s immersion from earlier by forcing her to drink the tea. Cassie, however, proves to be more defiant by stating that if she sees the Witness she will gladly tell him how she delayed the virus and took out most of his messengers. Olivia slaps Cassie before her visions begin.

Jennifer is taken by her old friend before she slams her head against the woman to escape. As she runs, she then spots a large map labelled “Word of the Witness.” On the map are multiple markings with various names and images including notes for James Cole, Cassandra Raily, Thomas Crawford, Kyle Slade, and Jennifer Goines. To her surprise, her name also declares the time of her death to be September 23, 2044.

In 2044, Cole, Ramse, and Deacon search a seemingly abandoned facility for the anomaly. There, Deacon finds the Foreman. When he tries to shoot, however, he finds his gun empty of ammunition. Deacon then sees that Cole and Ramse have betrayed him to the Foreman. They leave him to be taken down by one of his enemies.

Olivia guides Cassie through the red forest where she enters the cabin. There, she spots the Witness for herself. Suddenly, his appearance shifts, and she finds herself seeing a burnt image of Aaron. Before they can go further, Olivia is interrupted by loud music, a distraction from Jennifer. While Olivia searches for the noise, Jennifer comes to rescue Cassie. With Cassie secured, Jennifer then confronts Olivia for trying to hurt her friend. Olivia tries appealing to Jennifer, stating that she always saw Jennifer as a daughter. Jennifer recognizes the emotion but states that, unlike her real mother, she can say goodbye to Olivia. She stabs the woman and pushes her into an empty pool before escaping with Cassie.

At the lab, Jones rebukes Cole and Ramse for sending Deacon to die. The men still believe it was for the good of the base. Suddenly, the two hear footsteps in the hall and witness a bloodied Deacon walking towards them. He reveals that he fought and killed the Foreman and barely escaped with his life and their weapons, including a knife that once belonged to his brother. However, he states as long as Cole and Ramse didn’t tell his man, he won’t say anything about it as well. He then hands the weapons over to Ramse, a sign of respect to Ramse’s plot. Before he leaves, Deacon also requests that Cole pick up some whiskey the next time he splinters to the past.

The Pallid Man then comes to Olivia who remains alive but otherwise paralyzed. Instead of helping the woman, however, he remarks how this is now his chance to take charge as he goes to the Witness. With this new development, the Witness allows him to take charge, stating that it is the man’s birthright.

Cassie waits at the hotel bar before feeling an anomaly in the place. She quickly orders a whiskey before Cole arrives to see her. He’s surprised to see that she has remembered but is also surprised to know that she protected Jennifer. Cassie recognizes that the day was likely the older Jennifer’s way to help them connect and reveals the next location to try in New York 1975 to find Kyle Slade. 

However, she elects to stay and take care of Jennifer who is suffering a concussion after fighting the woman. Cole lets her stay before asking if anything else happened. Although Cassie recalls seeing Aaron in her vision, she doesn’t tell Cole. Cole, meanwhile, takes a bottle of whiskey for Deacon.

With the visions returning, Jennifer continues sketching images of Kyle Slade. In 1975, Kyle Slade recognizes that James Cole will finally come for him. 

Notes from 2044

• Aaron makes a startling return in Cassie's vision. Was it just her mind playing tricks on her or does he have more to do with time than we realized?
• Cassie apparently watched a documentary on the origins of hip-hop. Jennifer's right, she is full of surprises!
• The Word of the Witness contains various markings about the past and future, including a reference to the phrase "These Arms of Mine" which also happens to be the season one finale title!
• Jennifer's death will apparently be on September 23, 2044.

The Geekcap: Legends of Tomorrow "Destiny"

The episode opens on Rip recruiting the team in Star City five months ago. Immediately, Snart and Rory reject the offer, an idea Ray supports. However, Sara also shows some doubts, and Jax takes off without discussion. Stein catches up to Jax and tries to convince him to change his mind, but Jax refuses to let Stein tell him what to do. Stein offers to talk to him about it later, but, moments later, Jax returns with different clothes. This Jax, sent back from the previous episode, requires Stein’s help to return to the Waverider.

At the Vanishing Point, most of the team remains trapped in prison. Ray wonders what they will do to the team as Stein suffers from his break from Jax. Rory assures them that whatever they do to him in induction will be far worse than the prisoners. He recalls that the only thing that prevented him from being completely turned into Chronos was his desire to kill the team. Guards then arrive to take Kendra. She tries to fight back, but she is knocked out and taken anyway.

Rip speaks with one of the members of the High Council. The High Council member states that the only reason Rip is kept alive is to track the remaining members of the team: Sara and Snart. Rip refuses to work with the council, but the member reveals the truth. In the far-off future, the planet faces the threat of an attack from an alien race known as the Thanagarians. Only from unity under Vandal Savage do the Time Masters believe the world can be protected. Rip insults their faith in Savage. The High Council member then decides to show Rip the truth.

Snart and Sara make their way back to the Waverider. With the Time Masters hunting them down, Snart suggests that they escape, but Sara wants to help the team. Under the threat of being re-captured, Snart holds his cold gun to Sara, threatening to shoot if they can’t leave. Sara believes he doesn’t have the nerve to shoot her until they are interrupted by a phone ringing. Sara finds an old phone and listens to Gideon on the other end. Since Gideon survived, they have hope of not only escaping but rescuing the team.

Snart: Even the best laid plans can go sideways.

On a separate time ship, Vandal Savage takes Kendra strapped to a seat and Carter under stasis in cargo. He reveals that he is traveling to 2166 to fulfill his plan of killing Rip’s wife and child. Meanwhile, Rory undergoes a new induction treatment to return him to Chronos.

The High Council member then introduces Rip to the Oculus Wellspring, an invention controlled by the Time Masters. Inside is all of the knowledge of time past, present, and future. The member states that through this invention they have been able to not only witness events but manipulate them. He also reveals that every choice the team has made starting from Rip’s gathering of the group has been predetermine by the Masters. They planned for Rip and his team to change events in their favor for Savage and even murdered Rip’s family to guarantee his motivation. With a quick look inside the Oculus, Rip also witnesses Ray’s future death. They return Rip to the prison where he reveals to the others about their lost free will. He also warns Ray about his upcoming death.

In Central City 2016, Jax works with Stein to fix the quantum navigator. Despite Stein’s pestering, Jax refuses to answer Stein’s questions about the future, using Stein’s own warnings. Jax remarks that Stein was a better person in the future. Although Stein wonders about Jax’s mentioning of his future self in that way, he continues to help Jax without question. In the future, however, the Time Masters succeed in reverting Rory back into Chronos and order him to bring back Snart and Sara who are busy tampering with the other time ships.

In the prison, the team mores the fact that they were manipulated. Ray, however, refuses to give up hope for them as long as Snart and Sara escaped. On the Waverider, Sara plans for she and Snart to take off, despite Snart’s insistence of something going wrong. He reveals that the ring on his finger was from his first heist with Rory, a well-planned crime that ended poorly, and always reminds him that anything could go wrong. Nevertheless, Gideon reboots the system, allowing the ship captained by Sara to timejump. The Time Masters track this take-off but are unable to follow the Waverider do to the two’s tampering of the systems to instead sing “Love Will Keep Us Together.” However, the Time Masters do find the destination of the ship: the present.

Snart: Somebody order up a rescue?

The Waverider attacks the prison, leading Snart to arrive and free the remaining members. However, they are then stopped by Chronos and the other Time Masters. They order Chronos to kill Snart, but he instead switches sides and defends his friend. Rory then takes his revenge on the Time Master who inducted him and kills the man. The group return to the ship but are quickly caught by a tractor beam. Using Sara’s navigation, Ray’s expertise, and Rory’s Chronos technology, the group is able to escape the Vanishing Point.

Back in 2016, Jax and Stein repair the navigator, allowing Jax to return to his escape ship. Despite not knowing the future, Stein is reassured through Jax’s presence that he must have at least done something right. Jax then reveals that despite his misgivings over being tricked into the mission, he ultimately forgives Stein for making the decision for him.

On the Waverider, the team try to decide what to do next, despite believing they have no choice in their future. Instead of trying to find Kendra or find Savage which they suspected will be predicted, they then decide to travel back to the Oculus Wellspring to destroy the system. Through that, they can reclaim their free will in time.

Meanwhile, on the ship, the team in groups question their destinies. Ray discusses his destiny to die with Rory who reveals that it was his loyalty to the team that prevented him from being brainwashed this time. However, he warns Ray not to tell anyone with the threat of shaving his head. On another part of the ship, Snart has another conversation with Sara. Sara remarks that despite the disillusion of free will she still feels guilt over the things in her past. Snart, however, reveals that the situation has had him think more about his own future, namely with her. Sara remarks that he needs to be a much better thief to steal a kiss from her. Stein then talks with Rip and admits that the thought of them without free will is slightly relieving, but Rip still plans to change that.

The team then arrive at the Wellspring with the plan to blow up the machine. Unfortunately, they are caught by the Time Masters who reveal that this spot was part of their plan. Just as they are about to be taken in, however, Jax arrives with the pod to take out a portion of the guards. He reunites with Stein to become Firestorm, and the plan proceeds. Ray and Rip work to rig the rift while Rory, Snart, Sara, and Firestorm guard the outside.

In the midst of the plan, Savage, despite Kendra’s pleadings, continues his mission to kill Rip’s wife and child in London 2166.

After working with the machine, Ray discovers that there is a fail-safe in the device, preventing people like them from destroying it. However, Ray figures that if he keeps his hand on the switch, he can ultimately rig the device to explode at the cost of his own life, just as Rip saw. Ray accepts the consequences as a way to save the world, but Rory then knocks him out. As a way to get back at the Time Masters, Rory plans to sacrifice himself. Rip shirnks Ray down to take him aboard the Waverider. He informs the rest to evacuate to the ship, staying that Rory elected to stay behind. Snart then returns to his friend. In his final moments, Snart knocks out Rory and takes his place in the machine. Sara arrives to see this act. Knowing she can’t convince him otherwise, she kisses Snart and helps carry Rory out before the Wellspring explodes.

On the Waverider, the team mourns the loss of Snart who ultimately proved to be a hero. In addition, with the lack of the Oculus Wellspring, Gideon can no longer track the motions of time. Unfortunately, Gideon does reveal through new accounts that Rip’s family has still perished. Now with the Time Masters gone, all they can do is search aimlessly for Savage and Kendra.

On Savage’s ship, he also suffers from the lack of time motion tracking. Kendra mocks him for his lack of plan now, but Savage remarks that he still has a timeship, ensuring his new plan to change the past even further. 

Notes of Tomorrow

• According to the Time Masters, the Earth will be invaded by an alien species known as the Thanagarians. DC Fans should recognize this as the alien race as the original race of Hawkgirl and Hawkman!
• Also, apparently alien species do exist in the Arrowverse. Could this influence Supergirl's recent move to the station?
• Looks like Sara is the new captain of the Waverider!

The Geekcap: Arrow "Monument Point"

In Kalingrad, Russia, the military finds that their warheads are being armed beyond their control. Lyla informs the team on Rubicon’s systems. Designed by Amanda Waller herself, it overrides nuclear codes and is nearly unhackable. The team now has only twenty-one hours before a nuclear destruction. Oliver believes that Felicity can break through it, but Felicity believes that there is someone more qualified for this protocol: Noah Cuttler, her father. Despite her misgivings, she searches for his location after his escape from Iron Heights to hope for help, though even Diggle is against the idea of trusting another evil plan. Oliver, meanwhile, asks for Diggle to help search the city for a nexus chamber. With the massive amounts of death, Damian Dahrk can only gain more power. By finding the nexus chamber in Star City, they can hopefully stop his power should that happen.

On the island, the military and prisoners are attacking each other in chaos. Oliver and Taiana search through Reiter’s files and find a location that could take them off the island. They quickly run for the spot.

In the underground city, Thea is stuck guarded by ghosts before being interrupted by Malcolm Merlyn. She asks why this is happening when Malcolm explains that Dahrk is planning Genesis. The world is facing extinction, but he found a way to secure his and Thea’s safety there. Thea, obviously, questions his sense in letting the world die, but Malcolm believes it’s the world that is crazy. Thea also asks about Alex who Malcolm reveals was conditioned by Ruve for his assistance. Thea then demands to see Alex in exchange for some brief compliance.

Thea: Predictability is your flaw, too. Every time my life starts to suck, you show up.

Lance arrives at the loft to visit Donna. Donna, however, reveals she found a file at his house while she was visiting. The file, he states, will help him argue for his badge back, but Donna sees that he would have to state that he did not know that Laurel was the Black Canary. Lance tries to explain that it’s a complicated procedure. Donna, however, only sees it as a lie. She remarks that after loving a man who only lied, Lance was supposed to be someone different and reveals that she loves him. Lance replies in kind but doesn’t answer about the file.

In Dahrk’s lair, he recruits Murmur and Brick for a mission. After helping them escape Iron Heights, he wants them to show their appreciation by tracking down one person who could stop Rubicon: the Calculator. Oliver and Diggle search the area located by Felicity but find it empty. Through surveillance footage, they find that Cuttler escaped an attack from Brick and Murmur.

Meanwhile, the underground town is infiltrated by Anarky who is looking to kill Damian Dahrk.

Although they couldn’t find Cuttler before, Felicity finds that he did survive and connects some of his coding through the name Ravenspur. In addition to that, she finds through his work some possible connections to Damian Dahrk in a few possible spots for Oliver and Diggle to search.

On the island, one of the soldiers state that Reiter has given them new orders by radio, revealing Reiter to be alive. Oliver then orders Taiana to help the people escape the island while he stops Reiter. Taiana refuses to leave without Oliver, but Oliver responds that she said it takes a monster to kill a monster. Only he can kill Reiter while she must ensure the people’s safety.

Donna tells Lance that she is going to meet Felicity. Lance, however, gives her the file he just signed. It reads the same except for the end which provides a statement from Lance revealing that he knew about Laurel’s identity. Although Lance fears he will never see his badge again, Donna replies that she is proud of him for doing the right and that Laurel would have been proud as well.

Felicity arrives at her office to be greeted by Mr. Dennis, one of the members of the board. He’s come to discuss her recent avoidance of work, but she is too distracted with the threat of a nuclear attack. When Donna arrives, Felicity quickly sends Dennis out to get to work. She asks Donna about Ravenspur which Donna reveals is a cabin located in Cyprus Cove. She and Cuttler spent time there before, and Donna reveals not so subtly that it was also the place that Felicity was conceived. Donna worries that Felicity is doing something related to Cuttler, but Felictiy tries to reassure her that she’s okay. Felicity then hugs Donna out of fear of what could happen.

Oliver and Diggle search a location for the nexus chamber. In the meantime, Oliver informs Diggle that Lyla is worried about him, believing that Diggle is still shaken after shooting Andy in defense. Oliver rebukes Diggle for lying to Lyla, though Diggle feels that Oliver is in no position to comment against his lie. Oliver, however, states that he is in the position to comment on how harmful lying can be to a relationship and advises Diggle to tell the truth on Andy’s death. Felicity then calls Oliver to inform him that Cuttler is in a cabin in Cyprus Cove.

At the cabin, Cuttler is quickly met with Brick and Murmur. He tries to escape using his own shotgun but is eventually cornered. Brick offers him a fighting chance by offering a gun, a game that Cuttler recognizes from Iron Heights. In an instant, Cuttler is saved when Oliver and Diggle arrive and fight. Felicity takes her father in a getaway van, and the group head to the lair.

In the lair, Felicity quickly informs Cuttler of the situation and quickly orders him to decode Rubicon. Cuttler surprisingly agrees to help for the sake of saving himself from the world’s destruction. However, he states that he cannot do the act on their server and requires the system at Palmer Tech. Unfortunately, when Felicity arrives to her office, she is then escorted out by Dennis and security officers. The board has voted her out of position following her decision to almost give away the bio-implant.

Thea finally confronts Alex who is helping to organize people in the town. She tries to convince him of the situation, but he truly believes that he is helping the new world. Thea states that he is just brainwashed, but her beseeching is interrupted by Malcolm. He states that Anarky has been spotted in the dome heading to the CO2 center. If he were to tamper with the machines there, he could effectively suffocate everyone there. Against her better judgement, Thea must work with Malcolm to save innocent lives.

With Felicity fired, the team has no choice but to sneak into the building and steal the system themselves. Oliver shadows the security officers while Felicity and Cuttler sneak into her office and Curtis’s lab. In the midst of this, however, Cuttler chooses to discuss his relationship with Felicity. He states that, even despite his criminal acts, he understands that he was a bad father. Felicity continuously interrupts him out of a desire to finish the heist. Unfortunately, she trips an alarm, forcing her and Cuttler to quickly escape after copying the data. They escape in a getaway car driven by Lance whom Cuttler recognizes as the man who arrested him.

On the island, Oliver confronts Reiter who survived thanks to the power of the idol. Oliver tries to fight back but is powerless to his magic.

Under the dome, Thea and Malcolm track Anarky. Since Malcolm cannot trust Thea with weapons, he gives Thea the opportunity to confront Anarky with their previous experiences. She connects with Anarky, revealing that she was the one who burned him and understanding his desire to kill Dahrk. However, she draws the line on sacrificing the innocent lives under the dome. Before Anarky can do anything, he is shot by Malcolm. Thea rebukes Malcolm from ruining her appealing to him, but Malcolm points out the explosives, proving that Anarky was planning to bomb the area with or without Thea.

The team take the data to the Star City Data Center to hopefully hack into Rubicon. Diggle and Felicity work to secure the area while Oliver, as the Green Arrow, keeps an eye on Cuttler. Cuttler recalls to him the fact that he lived two lives with his family, one as a father and one as a hacker. Felicity saw only the criminal. Cuttler remarks that the Green Arrow would likely be a man who knew about dual lives. Oliver plainly responds that in his experiences dual lives never work. Cuttler makes it through the system, but he shortly finds that their location has been transmitted. An army of ghosts will shortly arrive to eliminate them. Oliver, Diggle, Lyla, and several ARGUS agents then fortify the center to fight the ghosts after Lyla receives orders from the president. With no time to lose, Felicity works with Cuttler to work into Rubicon.

Lyla: The fate of the world is resting in the hands of an IT girl, a criminal, and two guys in Halloween costumes.

On the island, Oliver is nearly killed by Reiter, only to be saved by a returning Taiana. She shoots Reiter, providing a distraction for Oliver to fight. He orders her to grab the idol for them to escape. Taiana takes the idol, and Oliver sets off a grenade. After the explosion, Reiter once again survives.

Back under the dome, Thea returns to the house only to find Alex slumped over in the backyard. Anarky appears but states that Alex is not dead. He then questions why she continuously allows herself to be at the mercy of powerful men. The two then begin to fight just as a fight commences at the Data Center. In the midst of Thea’s fight, however, Alex awakens to see Thea in danger. To set an example, Anarky kills Alex to free Thea. Thea, in her rage, manages to defeat Anarky but comes to terms with Alex’s death.

Oliver and Diggle fight against the ghosts with Oliver narrowly beating Brick. Murmur, however, makes his way inside and shoots at Felicity and Cuttler. Cuttler manages to shield Felicity from the bullet while Oliver stops Murmur. Fortunately, Felicity and her father managed to stall the nukes for twenty-four hours before Rubicon continuously rewrites nuclear codes, forcing Cuttler and Felicity to manually overwrite them. Moreover, Felicity notices that all but one of the nukes had been stalled. 

That nuke is headed for Monument Point. Lyla then orders an evacuation but recognizes that there is not enough time to secure all the people. However, Oliver notices that City Hall has already been evacuated due to a gas leak. Diggle deduces that Dahrk wanted Ruve to win the election to secure the actual location of city hall which may be the location of the nexus chamber.

On the island, Oliver and Taiana continue to escape only to have Taiana stop. Her eyes glow with the idol’s power, worrying Oliver.

Felicity works to try and stop the missile in the air with limited time. With her father’s help, she figures that instead of fruitlessly attempting to break the system, she can instead change the location. Unfortunately, the new location is the nearby town of Havenrock. According to Lyla, the casualty total would be up to tens of thousands. Lyla tries to reassure Felicity that Monument point would have meant millions, but Felicity still feels guilty over the massive loss of life.

At the end, Oliver and Diggle make their way to City Hall. They find a secret entrance underneath the building and find the nexus chamber. There, Dahrk absorbs new power from the deaths of thousands.

Arrow Notes

• Felicity's getting a little meta herself by referencing Brick as "last year's greatest hits"!
• Monument Point is actually a location in DC Comics outside Washington D.C. It was later adopted as a town by the Justice Society.
• In addition, Havenrock might also refer to Havencroft, a suburb outside the city of Monument Point.
• The vision of Taiana is featured in this episode as the idol takes hold of her.
• Could the Russian military actually have more connection to the city than we thought?  

The Geekcap: The Flash "The Runaway Dinosaur"

The team at STAR Labs is reeling from the loss of Barry. Cisco tries to track Barry down while Harry calls for Jessie and Wally to come out. When they don’t get an answer, they find the two lying in the hall. While Wally comes to, Harry finds that Jessie’s heart has stop. After some tense moments, she takes a breath but remains unconscious. Joe takes a less responsive Henry to oversee Jessie as a doctor. Cisco then touches Barry’s suit to see Barry alive inside the Speed Force.

Barry wakes up in his childhood room with everything still the same from before his mother’s death, including a book called The Runaway Dinosaur. He walks downstairs to find Joe examining the murder site. Barry greets him as Joe, but he responds that he is not Joe. Barry recognizes that this world is not real, leading Joe explaining that they simply wanted to make him comfortable. On Barry’s confusion, Joe offers to explain, revealing it to be the Speed force itself, the source of his powers. Barry is shocked at the revelation and asks to be sent back to his friends. He sees a being racing around the house, a being that Joe states he must catch if he wants to return home.

Cisco and Henry inform Harry that Barry may be inside the Speed Force. Henry demands that Harry helps get his son back, though Harry is unsure how to do that. Joe takes Henry aside and instead suggests for Henry to help Jessie so that Harry can be more free to help Barry. Henry warns that while Joe still has Wally and Iris, Barry is all he has left. Henry, nevertheless, monitors Jessie and finds that her vitals are normal except for the fact that she won’t wake up. Iris recognizes this state from Barry’s first accident, leading to Cisco remembering that Wells (the fake one, Eobard Thawne) tended to Barry. Henry advises Cisco to retrieve the files on the treatment which is revealed to be in their makeshift morgue.

Cisco: It’s not a morgue morgue. It’s like a poor man’s morgue. Morgue-ish.

Cisco explains to Iris that they have kept a morgue to keep their dead metahumans which may have been experimented on by the fake Wells. He looks for the files on Barry’s treatment when Iris hears a noise from the back. From the hall, Tony Woodward reemerges after being supposedly dead. He rages and escapes the lab to the shock of both Iris and Cisco.

Barry chases the figure until he reaches the park. There, he encounters a figure of Iris who advises him to sit. She reminds him that this was the place they first kissed, something that should be a happy memory for him. Barry reminds her that it wasn’t real and questions why they keep bothering him. She responds that his powers were gift, something that he then threw away. Barry responds that he only did that to save someone, just as he always had. Now, his friends are in danger without his help. If the Speed Force is upset with him, Barry questions why he had his powers in the first place. Iris responds that he is the Flash.

Cisco and Iris return to the lab to inform the team on Girder’s return. From the electrical stimulation of the explosion, his body was reanimated and now walks as a zombie with his powers still intact. Harry recognizes what’s happening, leading Joe to convince Harry to continue working on a way to bring Barry back while Henry looks after Jessie. Harry then starts to work while Cisco plans to stop Girder. Girder, meanwhile, takes out a vehicle outside Big Belly Burger.

Harry creates a way to stimulate Cisco’s vibes using the same machines used to open the breaches. From that, they plan to allow Cisco to enter the Speed Force and call to Barry. From there, they can bring Barry back home. Meanwhile, Barry continues to argue with the Speed Force on why it continues to toy with him. Over his shoulder, he sees the breach and hears Cisco calling him back home. Iris reveals that he can return home through the breach, but he will not regain his powers. With that predicament, Barry refuses to go with Cisco and continues to chase the figure.

Though that plan failed, the team continues to try and stop Girder who is moving through buildings and trashed Jitters. Joe questions why Girder is just moving through things, but Henry explains, through his experience with a fellow inmate returning to his girlfriend, that sometimes people act on familiar territory. Iris then recognizes that Girder is likely searching for her. With that knowledge, Iris believes she can lure Girder into a trap as he begins to head to the West House.

Barry chases the figure to a gravesite where he is confronted by an image of his father. Barry rebukes the image questioning how it could remark on Barry giving up his powers when it was to save someone. The Speed force replies that it knows that Barry has saved countless lives, but he’s never been able to handle the place they are now: his mother’s gravesite.

At the West’s home, Joe and Iris keep an eye out for Girder while Joe awkwardly questions Wally on the incident. Wally is otherwise fine, but Joe drops his mug to see if he developed any abilities. The mug shatters, eliminating chances of Wally also gaining speed. Finally, the two spot Girder, and Iris begins to lead him to STAR Labs.

Iris: I bought that mug!

Henry remarks to Barry that he never visited his mother’s grave, likely because it would have made her death real. Barry responds that he’s always known it was real, but he couldn’t accept that he chose his life over hers. Henry responds that by choosing his life he became the Flash and save other valuable lives. Barry responds that he could never be at peace with her death and once again demands to go home.

Iris and Joe arrive at STAR Labs where Cisco develops a new electro-magnetic machine to take down Girder. With the reverse energy, they can hopefully negate the energy that brought Girder back to life. However, once they spring it on Girder, the machine fails. The three then run to the base with the particle accelerator along with Henry, Harry, and Jessie and barricade themselves behind the door. With no other hope of defeating Girder, their only chance is to bring Barry back.

Barry finally stops at his childhood home and confronts and image of Nora, his mother. Barry rejects this image, but Nora responds that they only wanted to help him accept her death. She responds that he has to learn to accept it since even the Flash cannot outrun the tragedies of life. Barry then breaks down and admits that he misses her. Nora responds that she would have been proud of the man he became.

Cisco and Harry begin to fire up the beacon when Cisco recalls Barry’s expression. He remembers that Barry looked like he didn’t want to return, meaning that they need a way to convince him. Henry offers to help Cisco, but Iris instead intervenes and helps Cisco create the beacon to call Barry.

Barry then sits with his mother who recounts the book The Runaway Dinosaur. Barry reveals that he has the story memorized about a dinosaur whose mother responds how much he loves her. Under new acceptance, he finally captures the figure which turns out to be himself as the Flash. Then, he sees the rift and hears Iris’s voice calling him home. He finally reaches into the breach to grab her hand and returns home. Immediately, Cisco fills him in on Girder’s return, forcing Barry to act quickly. He takes Iris to distract Girder and once again leads him to the electro-magnets. He runs around to create a charge for the machine, causing it to short out Girder and save the lab.

Barry also returns to see Jessie unconscious. Under instinct, he touches Jessie using the Speed Force, and she wakes up questioning what happened. They ask how Barry knew it would work, but Barry reveals that even he didn’t know. Henry then takes Barry’s vitals to ensure that he is okay. With everything that happened, Barry then choose to have some hope for their fight like his dad had hope for him. Henry then responds that after what happened he has decided to stay in Central City with his son.

In the end, Barry finally visits his mother’s grave with Iris. He lays flowers as well as a copy of The Runaway Dinosaur on the site. Iris remarks that she didn’t like the book since it reminded her of what they never had: a mother who stayed. Barry, however, remarks that instead of thinking about the things he lost, he wants to remember the people he still has. That includes the people at STAR Labs as well as Iris. He remarks that regardless of what their relationship is, Iris will always be the one to guide him home. The two then embrace.

Meanwhile, at the police precinct, Jay confronts Caitlin on where her loyalties lie. He states that if she stays, she chooses him. However, if she leaves, he will treat her with the same mercy he will treat her friends. He awaits her answer after he addresses and army of metahumans bent on taking over this planet.

Flash Notes

• Jason Mewes, a Kevin Smith regular, makes a cameo appearance as the man whose car Girder trashes.
• This is actually Greg Finley's second portrayal as a zombie. He recently played on iZombie!
• Cisco quickly asks Iris "Is iZombie still behind you?" during the plan. Could this be a reference to the fact that the fellow DC show comes behind The Flash on the Tuesday lineup?
• Did anyone else enjoy the episode directed by Kevin Smith himself? 

The Geekcap: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. "Emancipation"

At a nondescript bar, Coulson watches a new report recount a story regarding the Sokovia Accords. The law has passed under 117 countries, and Steve Rogers is now missing. May arrives to offer her condolences to Coulson on both the disappearance of Captain America and the death of Peggy Carter. With the Accords up, the government is going to be more interested in their work with Inhumans, leading to Coulson having a conversation with General Talbot. Talbot comes as a representation of the president who is now interested in learning about SHIELD’s activities. Coulson argues against the regulation method with the government’s hands in the matter and also reminds Talbot that not all of the Avengers were on board with them either. Still, as an appealing gesture to Talbot, Coulson allows Talbot to see their base which is present directly under the bar.

Daisy continuously hacks into the SHIELD database despite Fitz’s attempts to keep her out. In the middle of one session, she spots Lincoln trapped in the pod and wonders what he did. Hive interrupts her as she is locked out of the system once again. By tracking SHIELD, Hive is forced to constantly move in order to carry on with Radcliffe’s experiments. The doctor takes the rest of Daisy’s blood that he needs and states that the next experiment is ready. All they need are some test subjects.

Lincoln continues to wait in the pod as May gives him his meals. He still asks to be freed only for May to shut him down after his behavior. Since Lincoln’s immune system is still compromised, he’s better off in the pod. May advises that instead of trying to escape, he should try to stay straight, especially with Talbot on the base now.

Meanwhile, Fitz and Simmons work on the systems with Fitz being forced to Daisy-proof the computers rather than work on a new Hive solution. Fitz remarks that it would be easier with Mack, but Simmons remarks that he is still shaken up about what happened with Daisy. Even there, they believe that their work is useless. May, however, comes in and instructs them on working to fight against Hive. Though Hive is a parasite, May believe that if he is made up of humans, two of which they knew, he must have some drive. Now, they have to be on the offense.

Coulson gives Talbot a tour of the base. Coulson states that he will allow Talbot onto the base for exchange of keeping their Inhuman team secret. For additional collateral, Coulson introduces Talbot to Elena Rodriguez, who has returned to help after hearing about Daisy’s turn. Coulson explains that Elena has been working on her own against the Mexican cartel, meaning that her name on a list would be a price on her head. Talbot maintains that it is only for protection which Elena considers naïve. However, Coulson lets Elena demonstrate her powers by having her stealing Talbot’s pin before his eyes.

At a training facility, two men train a group of Watchdogs. While the Accords have regular people assured that the enhanced people are regulated, the Watchdogs believe the only solution is to take the Inhumans out head to head. From a report originally taken by the ATCU, they now believe they can find one.

Secretly, in the pod, Lincoln manages to make contact with Daisy. Together, they create a loop to fool the security feed while they continue to talk. They both admit to missing each other, especially since Lincoln admits he was only on SHIELD for her. Daisy states that she offered him a chance to escape, but he refused. Now, Lincoln states he only wants to be with her. Before they can talk further, Daisy informs him that the feed is about to be cut, ending their conversation. Lincoln is then reintroduced to Talbot by Coulson.

Elena finds Mack in the kitchen avoiding the team. She questions why he’s not doing anything since she came back all this way to help Daisy. He admits that he feels dismayed at the situation with Daisy and doesn’t want what happened to her to happen to anyone else. Elena helps to fix his brace and helps him sit down. He then asks her if she ever felt hopeless despite her faith with the threat of Armageddon upon them. She replies that he needs a beer and recalls a phrase from home: evil preys on the weak because it fears the strong. The only way evil succeeds is if they give up and run.

Elena: You need a beer and some faith.

Talbot explains to Lincoln the concept of registration which involves them assessing his strength and danger level. Lincoln accepts the concepts if it allows him to leave, but Coulson is still less warm to the option. Talbot questions that if Lincoln truly wanted to leave he could just take them all out right now. Since he doesn’t, Lincoln advises them to work with him.

Continuing the tour, Coulson finally reveals to Talbot their last Inhuman: a recaptured Lash. Talbot is furious that Coulson has a creature like Lash in their grasp without any oversight. Finally, Talbot asks about Daisy. Coulson states that she’s on a field mission, but Talbot reveals that he found footage of her with Grant Ward in a town that recently experienced a flying saucer invasion. Coulson asks why Talbot went to this trouble if he already knew Daisy was loose, but Talbot wanted to learn the details of the other Inhumans. With Daisy on the loose, Coulson agrees to fill him in on the rest of story.

The Watchdogs trace their lead to an Inhuman down an alley. There, they find James who takes a fiery chain and whips the fighters. Hive emerges and reveals that he orchestrated the hunt to capture them and ultimately turn them into what they hate.

In Coulson’s office, Fitz, Simmons, and Coulson explain to Talbot everything, including the alien planet and Hive’s powers. With Hive being able to control other Inhumans, Talbot becomes firmer in his belief for the Accords, preventing super-powered people from being taken behind their watch. With Hive planning to create his own Inhumans, the threat is even more serious. Coulson reminds Talbot that they prevented Hive’s plan by eliminating the Kree threat, but Simmons recalls that there is still some Kree blood Hive could use: the GH-325 in both Coulson and Daisy.

Hive and James then arrive with the Watchdogs as a new batch of test subjects for Radcliffe. With their change, Hive states he will free the Watchdogs from their hatred. They lock the group in a bin and flood the container with Radcliffe’s new formula. Outside, they hear the screams of the Watchdogs before they are immediately silenced. Radcliffe states that they simply need to wait.

Back at the pod, Lincoln reconnects with Daisy and agrees to escape if they can be together. Daisy concocts a plan using the things in his pod to help fool the alarm system and allow him off the base without alerting the team. With Daisy’s expertise, Lincoln is able to escape the pod and make his way down the hall. In Coulson’s office, Talbot once again argues to put the president in the loop of the Inhuman problem, but Coulson states that by the time they go through the red tape, Hive’s plan may already be complete. Lincoln makes his way through the base. He is almost spotted by May, but Daisy provides a distraction to lead him to another exit.

Fitz and Simmons explain that Hive has everything he needs to create a new Inhuman army if he uses Daisy’s blood. Furthermore, with the knowledge that Hive had stolen some kind of technology from the ATCU, he might be able to improve his plan. Coulson questions why Hive would be willing to sacrifice Daisy for a few Inhumans. With her knowledge and abilities, she could be worth 100 Inhumans. Fitz states that Hive might be able to make that many with Daisy. Unfortunately for the team, their argument against Talbot’s registration becomes even more undercut when discover Daisy’s loop trick. Meanwhile, Radcliffe and James then open the container to find that, among the cocoon crests, the Watchdogs have changed into deformed creatures.

The base begins an emergency lockdown to stop Lincoln’s escape. Mack returns to help Fitz and Simmons seal the base. However, he reminds the two that Daisy could still help Lincoln escape by manually controlling the quinjet. Mack then runs to stop Lincoln, but Lincoln is insistent on returning to Daisy. He shocks Mack off and runs to the jet.

Hive observes the new Inhumans. Despite their deformities, they quickly follow his orders. He then orders them to take Radcliffe who begs to be given another chance. However, Hive is satisfied with the results since they are still quick to follow him. Radcliffe states that they are merely abominations of his work, but Hive just states that they are part of the Inhuman race, part of him.

Lincoln informs Daisy that he is in the jet ready to be taken to her location. She assures him that they can escape together, but Hive reappears to reveal that Daisy lied to capture him for Hive. Hive shows her Radcliffe’s results, made by his parasites and her blood. However, he wants more. In order to achieve that, they may need to drain her completely.

To the team’s dismay, they watch the jet take off as they come to Mack’s aid. However, May returns with Lincoln in tow, revealing that Lincoln is not be taken to Hive. They question what was sent to Hive instead, but May responds that desperate times call for desperate measures. The jet arrives for Hive to greet it, only to have the sole inhabitant be Lash.

Lincoln explains to the team that he and May created a plan against Hive. Lincoln managed to convince Daisy that he wanted to escape while May managed to portray the plan as escaping from the base, even though Coulson managed the plan the entire time. While he did not mean to hurt Mack, Lincoln set the quinjet to take off with May making sure that Lash was onboard, knowing that Hive would be waiting to meet with the jet. May and Lincoln both believe that if every Inhuman has a purpose, Lash’s purpose might be to kill Hive.

Talbot: Who in tarnation names these things?

Lash manages to fight off Hive by blasting away his parasites and wounding him temporarily. Hive sends the newly-turned Inhumans against him, but Lash takes them out one by one. Radcliffe and Daisy soon hear the fight, leading Radcliffe to try and help them escape. Daisy, however, tries to fight against Lash for Hive, but she then succumbs to her blood loss and falls. Lash comes to her and, instead of killing her, uses his powers to draw out and destroy the parasitical influence inside her. With Daisy now free from Hive’s influence, Lash carries Daisy back to the quinjet. Suddenly, Lash is stabbed by James’s fiery chain. Daisy blasts back James but sadly watches Lash die before her eyes. She then radios the base from the jet to say she’s coming home.

Daisy returns to the base in handcuffs flanked by guards, though the team is ultimately glad to see her. Simmons immediately takes her to the lab to diagnose her condition. Talbot questions whether or not this could still be a trick by Hive, but Mack replies that they just need to have a little faith. Lincoln deduces that from Lash’s death, his mission was not to kill Hive but to protect Daisy. Simmons, however, replies that whatever protected Daisy wasn’t Lash.

Simmons then arrives to state that Daisy seems to have been cured from Hive, though she is still weak from the blood loss and withdrawal. Otherwise, the agent should make a full recovery. Unfortunately, from the information Simmons has gathered from Daisy, she and Fitz believe that Hive is planning a massive shockwave to infect the planet and create more of the Inhuman monstrosities. Then, Talbot reveals that the item stolen from the ATCU was a warhead, exactly what Hive needs to complete this plan.

In Mack’s room, the agent is visited by Elena. She remarks that now he seems to have found some faith. With Daisy back, he should be happy, but Mack still has some doubts. To help him, Elena gives him her cross necklace, reminding him to keep the faith. 

SHIELD Notes

• Mack is now in possession of Elena's cross necklace. Does this mean anything towards Daisy's vision?
• James, who became Hellfire, finally used his signature fiery chain.
• The newly-turned Inhumans actually resemble a race from the comics known as the Alpha Primitives. These were a slave race created by the Inhumans themselves and only fitting since Radcliffe referred to them as the Alpha test.
• Who really names these things I wonder?

The Geekcap: 12 Monkeys "Emergence"

 Ramse returns to the base after sparing Deacon’s life. Despite the original sentence, Jones asks Ramse for help after Cole and Cassie were trapped in 1944. While Jones does not trust Ramse, she trusts Ramse’s relationship with Cole that he would help. In exchange for his help, Jones promises Ramse his freedom from the base and his death sentence with his son. In the lab, Adler prepares Ramse with a dose of new formula. Ramse asks how they plan to send the three of them back, but Adler replies that Jones is preparing for that. Jones reveals to Eckland that she is sending Ramse back only two days before the paradox in order to prevent Ramse from disrupting any other events. Eckland asks why is she doing this despite not trusting Ramse, leading Jones to reply that she is running low on options.

Ramse and Jones plan to have Ramse place a classified ad in the paper for the team to find in the future. Jones has a theory that by tracking the paper, they can bring all three back home. Ramse instead accuses her of being afraid of the events happening outside the base in the disaster. Nevertheless, he agrees to help and is sent back in time to 1944, only to be hit by a car once he arrives.

Ramse: I can only fix one of your mistakes at a time.

The team explore the outside area where the forests have turned red. The soldiers who stayed have been ravaged by time hundreds of years, becoming skeletons in the process. Whitley questions why if this happened because of Cole and Cassie’s travel. Jones meanwhile states that the cause will devastate the base in a matter of months. Whitley asks why it’s affecting them now, but Jones is mostly at a loss to her dismay. Whitley remarks that they are being watched by the Daughters and believes they know of what’s happening. Jones instead returns to the base.

Ramse wakes up in a 1944 hospital just as Cassie has arrived at the Emerson Hotel. The nurse takes his vitals and remarks that he heals rapidly despite also suffering from osteoporosis, unusual for a young man. He’s assured that this is September 1, 1944 and works to find Cole. However, the nurse refuses to let Ramse leave with his injuries. Ramse sneaks out of his room to reach a nurse’s counter. There, he finds a phone and calls the Emerson Hotel for James Cole, revealing to be the mysterious person who rang for him in the previous episode. Before he can speak to Cole, the nurse and security find and sedate Ramse for surgery.

Jones and Eckland watch the red storm draw closer to the base without any knowledge of what it is. Eckland also notices the Daughters spying on them. With no other option, Jones goes out to the forest to speak to an older Jennifer Goines about the events. Jones tries to get answers from the woman, but Jennifer proves to be more elusive. She refers to people as ants in a line who only know of three ants: the one in front, behind, and itself. Once the ant steps outside the line, however, it can truly witness time. Jennifer understands this as a primary and tries to explain it with a red leaf. Jones fires back that the leaf is just a reaction to the temporal anomaly and storms out after not receiving any clear answer.

In 1944, Cole and Cassie’s events play out as usual while Ramse tries to escape the hospital. He knocks out a visiting man, steals his clothes, and makes his way to the mental hospital just as Cole and Cassie arrive. Unfortunately, he crosses paths with the female messenger. She recognizes Ramse as the traveler and threatens to kill him since his cycle has completed. Ramse tries to convince her that he is on her side for the sake of protecting his son asked by the Witness to return. The messenger is touched by his story since hearing it from her childhood and realizing that he had something she will never have: a child. She states that she is destined to die on this day and doesn’t believe Ramse’s story, remarking that the Witness would not ask for anyone. The male messenger than handcuffs Ramse to a heater as the two continue their plans. Meanwhile, in 2044, Jones becomes even more frustrated with their inability to understand what’s happening. The events occur the same despite Ramse’s presence, though he follows the FBI taking Cole and Cassie.

The FBI agents take Cole and Cassie to a motel to find out what happened. The agent from the night before, Gale, questions Cole, who stays obstinate and instead believes that they should have splintered by now. He then tries Cassie by appealing to her less pleasant company after being caught killing Thomas Crawford and his son. Cassie simply states that they were trying to save the two and failed. Gale reveals the picture from the night as evidence that they were tracking the Crawfords and demands an answer for the term “splintered.” Before they can go further, Ramse steps in to rescue the two and beat Gale. Ramse calls for them to run, but Cole states they have to find out what happened to the female messenger. Cassie states that they have to return to 2044, a statement Gale hears in shock. Cole thanks him for his service and knocks the agent in the nose.

The three gather at the Emerson Hotel where Ramse explains the feeble plan. In the midst of their waiting, Cole still plans on searching for the female messenger to find out the army’s plan. Cassie questions why they should since she likely died in the paradox explosion, and they have nothing to work with at this point. Ramse, despite previous misgivings, ends up agreeing with Cassie and suggests they simply wait at the point he advertised for Jones to find them. He then leaves the room with Cassie following.

Cole: I was just starting to like this place. 

At the base in 2044, Eckland confronts Jones on why she is acting like an asshole. Jones simply replies that they know nothing about what’s happening, but Eckland has a different theory. He responds that she is more than a scientist: she is an explorer. Whenever she faces the unknown, she charges head-on, trying to understand and be right. It was one of the things he admired about her.

In 1944, Ramse and Cassie wait for the splinter time in the hotel bar. Ramse replies to Cassie that he understands that she hates him. However, she doesn’t have to hate Cole. Cassie says that she doesn’t hate Cole, and Ramse reveals that Cole is just beating himself over for what happened to her, that he considers it to be her fault. Ramse feels that Cole is loyal to a fault, showing that with both him and Cassie. Meanwhile, Cole tracks the female messenger and finds that she had survived the paradox.

Cole tracks her down to a hospital where crosses paths with Gale once again. Gale states that he knows Cole and Cassie didn’t kill Crawford and instead questions their real mission. He found that the jewelry Cole gave the receptionist is from a design that won’t premiere until next year and then found Ramse’s mysterious medical records. Cole then tells Gale part of the truth and convinces Gale to help him find the female messenger. They find her laying in a hospital bedroom, recovering from her injuries. The woman wakes also bemused by the situation. She had been raised to die that day in 1944 and now is free to do as she pleases, to have a child. She fights the men and nearly knocks out Cole. However, she says she is not meant to kill Cole as stated by the Witness. The woman escapes.

Jones returns to Jennifer for definite answers. Jennifer then gives Jones a special herbal tea to give her visions of her explanations. Jennifer, both old and young, explains that time works with men rather than around it. Special people, known as primaries, work as the gears of time to support the movement. However, if these primaries are killed, time is fractured. The world will be plummeted to a red forest where there is no past and no future. This is the goal of the Army of the 12 Monkeys.

Gale returns with Cole to the hotel to meet up with Cassie and Ramse. Despite the strangeness, Gale wants to help Cole on his mission. Cole states that he can’t right now but perhaps in the future. In 2044, Adler finds Ramse’s ad in the paper and is able to lock onto the group’s location. The three then says their goodbyes to Gale as they splinter in front of him back to 2044.

Jones fills in the group on what they learned. Cassie deduces that the messengers used bones from the primaries’ past to kill them, which Jones refers to as using time against itself. Although the thought is not scientific in the least, the cause of nature still presents firsts. If the messengers continue their plans, they are destined to a red forest, a hell in time. Cassie, meanwhile, also questions why Ramse is still here. Jones argues that Ramse had helped him that time, but Cassie still argues on what Ramse had done, causing a larger argument. Cole silences them stating that they have already failed in stopping the army from the fracture. However, they agree to continue as they always had, taking clues piece by piece on the messengers’ actions.

In 1944, Gale examines room 607 after the three’s departure. He signs the back of the picture of Cole and Cassie with the date they needed and places it on a desk for the future. In 1971, the female messenger, now an old woman, speaks with her son. Upon her death, he will now carry on the mission for the army. She drops a handful of flower petals, signifying her own death. Finally, in 2016, Jennifer walks herself to a clinic and asks to put an end to the voices. There, she is spotted by the messenger’s son, the Pallid Man.

Notes from 2044

• The army's plan is revealed: to kill all of the primaries. But what do they have to gain?
• The Pallid Man makes his return from season one! If you notice following the paradox explosion, his mother, the messenger, bears the same scar on her face as he has from his paradox encounter!
• The tea Jennifer gives Jones looks eerily similar to the mix given to Cassie in episode six "The Red Forest." 

The Geekcap: Legends of Tomorrow "River of Time"

In Ancient Egypt 1700 B.C., the first Vandal Savage interrogates his prisoner Rip Hunter. He questions why Rip attacked him and asks who he is. Rip states that he is the one who will stop him. Savage questions what Rip knows about the future, but Rip says that all he needs to know is that he will always try to stop him.

In present day, Rory breaks out one of Rip’s prized bottles to toast Savage’s capture. However, the team continues to question what to do about Savage now that Carter is in custody. Stein and Kendra obviously question murdering Savage especially with the potential side effect of losing Carter, but Snart reminds them that killing Savage was always part of the plan. Losing Carter shouldn’t outweigh their mission, and every second they keep Savage alive on the ship risks the people they care about at home. Ray and Jax arrive with some interesting news. Ray has been examining the schematics of the robot and finds that its creation is more advanced than even 2166. In other words, Savage has been found with manipulating the timeline, making him a criminal of the Time Masters. With this evidence, bringing Savage to justice will no longer make the team criminals to the council.

Rip then interrogates Savage on the technology. Savage reveals that since seeing Rip again in 1975 he realized that time travel could be the only option for his reappearance. Since then, he has found his own way to move through time. That was the reason Rip had problems tracking Savage throughout the timeline. Furthermore, Savage argues that he is looking to save the world just like Rip claims, by preserving it in his image. Rip states that he wants to save his family, but Savage states that he has held his own children as they died of age. He is playing a much bigger game than any of the Time Masters, proclaiming himself as a master of time. Rip leaves the man and orders Gideon to fly them back to the vanishing point. Gideon argues that the power has been drained since Ray used the cell to fight the robot, but Rip insists that they move quickly.

Kendra confronts Carter whom they’ve restrained in the back. Carter believes himself to be a ward of Vandal Savage, but Kendra tries to remind him that he is Carter Hall, formerly Prince Khufu. Carter recognizes her as Kendra Saunders but still believes her to be an enemy as told to him by Savage. He warns that if they do not let him go he will kill them where they stand.

Rip examines the ship when Sara comes to speak to him. Sara wonders why Rip continues to be so desperate when the timeline hasn’t changed. Rip believes that the circumstances will change once they bring Savage to the vanishing point. Sara wonders if he’s pushing the ship too hard, but Rip says that he knows the ship better than anyone. It can take the stress. Suddenly, the power begins to blow out, leading them to be stuck in the time stream.

Stein asks about their condition, but Rip states it can be fixed. Even if the drive can’t work, Rip reminds him that there is a jump ship on the Waverider that is powered to take them back to 2016. Stein fears about Savage onboard, but Rip plans to handle that by sending Sara to check on the prisoner. Meanwhile, Rip takes Jax to help him fix the time drive.

Sara checks on Savage to make sure he was still secure. Savage then questions Sara on her sister Laurel, something Sara ignores. He then remarks that the only reason Rip chose them was for their ability to be manipulated. He warns that Rip is obsessed with saving his family, more than he cares for the safety of his crew. Sara leaves without responding to that.

Jax works with the temporal core despite Stein’s worry for his safety. Once he re-configures the core, Jax is blasted back with temporal radiation. He then flashes back to the moment before he left for the Waverider. He was fixing up a car before he was visited by his mother. She stops by to offer him a watch that was originally a gift to his father and reminds him about coming to dinner with her and his grandfather. Jax remembers but says he has to meet with someone at the university. In the present, Rip and Stein drag Jax from the room. He looks fine, but Gideon reveals that Jax’s internal systems are aging rapidly. Snart and Rory meanwhile talk over things in the kitchen. With the debate open for Savage’s death, the two realize how unnecessary they are at this point. Through this situation, they decide to try and find their own way out.

With Jax’s corrections, Rip works with Gideon to reboot the ship’s system to continue the trip. In the midst of this, however, he still asks Gideon for any changes in his family’s timeline. Gideon responds there is still no change which leads Sara to question why he keeps asking. Rip says that he still retains hope in change as seen by their mission. Sara reveals that Savage stated that Rip would sell out the team for his mission. Rip then reveals that that part is true. Moreover, he even questions whether or not sending Jax to fix the core was his own way of sacrificing the team for his own goals.

Rory- Why are all of the snacks in the future sugar free?

Kendra and Ray return to try and convince Carter of his past. She shows him a picture of their son in hopes that he remembers, but, when she gets too close, he attacks her. Ray pulls her from his grasp and punches Carter to knock him out. With no results, Ray storms into the prison to force the solution out of Savage. Recognizing his rage, Savage recalls his own past love for Kendra and reveals that the two has a relationship in one of her past lives before she remembered. Ray calls the idea perverse, but Savage says that the situation ended the same with Kendra returning to Carter, just like it will for Ray’s relationship. Ray refuses to believe him, but, after leaving Savage, he spots Kendra reciting a love poem to Carter in hopes for him to remember. Kendra tries to explain her feelings, but Ray states that he can’t stay in a relationship where he’s just Carter’s placeholder.

We then flashback to the moment before Ray left with the Waverider as he talks to Felicity at Palmer Tech. Felicity asks why he wants to go risk his life fighting an immortal bad guy when he could stay and do some good. Ray responds that since the world believes him to be dead, there is nothing he can do here. However, by traveling through time, he can truly make a difference. Felicity wishes him luck and hopes that he finds a girl in the past or future for that matter. Ray responds that he’s going to save the world, not fall in love.

Jax is taken to the hospital bed where he aged to be nearly sixty-three years. However, with the power sent to fix the time core, all they can do is wait to arrive at the vanishing point. With Jax’s life in jeopardy, Snart and Rory finally go to confront Rip. Since Rip refuses to kill Savage if they can bring him to the Time Masters, Snart and Rory decide to take the jump ship home. When Rip asks Sara if she too will leave, she simply responds that she isn’t one to back away from a fight. We then flashback to Sara’s last moments in 2016 where she visited Nyssa locked up in Nanda Parbat for destroying the Lazarus Pit. Sara offers to break Nyssa free, but Nyssa replies that if she truly loved her, she would leave and never look back.

Finally, Stein approaches Savage. He asks about the immortality ritual he witnessed Savage hosting in October 1975. Savage agrees to help but states that he needs Carter’s blood to continue it. Stein recognizes that Savage is trying to pit him and Ray against Carter and proclaims that he will find another way to save Jax. Instead, Stein leads Jax to the jump ship where he reveals that he had made some modifications to the machine. While it will take Jax back to 2016, it will also reverse his aging condition. Jax refuses to leave the team, so Stein once again sedates him to force him on the ship. With Jax secured, he sends the jump ship back to 2016, much to Snart and Rory’s dismay. We finally flashback to Stein’s last moments in 2016. His wife Clarice offers to take him on a date, but Stein replies that he’s going to meet with someone on his latest research: time travel. He, however, promises that he will make it and proclaims that he has always loved her.

In his frustration, Ray confronts Savage to state that Kendra is free to make her own choices. Savage simply calls Ray a coward and dares him to fight back to prove him wrong. Ray enters the prison and proceeds to fight Savage. However, Savage eventually gains the upper hand and chokes Ray into submission. With Ray out, Savage escapes his prison. When Rip finally fixes the systems, Gideon suddenly loses power. The team is at Savage’s mercy.

Sara: I was in League of Assassins, not NASA!

In the emergency, Rip sends Snart, Rory, Kendra, and a revived Ray to handle Savage while Stein manually handles the engine. Sara, meanwhile, must serve as the manual navigator through time to the vanishing point. The three struggle against Savage with Carter eventually fighting against them as well. Savage takes out Snart and Rory while Ray and Kendra are forced to fight Carter. In the attack, Rip chooses to help his team, leaving Sara to captain the ship. He arrives just in time to take a devastating laser blast from Savage who then takes out Ray. However, just as Savage is about to kill Kendra, Carter regains his memories and fights off the tyrant. Savage manages to stab Carter, but Kendra is able to knock out Savage, saving the team.

The team takes Carter to the hospital bed, revealing that he’s alive but requires rest. Kendra once again speaks to Ray, but he still feels unsure about their relationship now that Carter is back. Sara finally reaches the Vanishing Point, the Time Masters’ Council at the end of time. Immediately, they are taken in as fugitives, but Rip argues their case by planning to take Savage into custody. He takes hold of Savage who last questions how Rip escaped from the prison almost 4000 years ago. Rip argues that sometimes the best escape plans are the simplest, and the Vanishing Point guards will not be as easily manipulated as his team. Sara then asks Rip what he let her captain the ship. He replies that he had to defend his team.

Rip takes Savage to the Time Masters and presents his case. He shows proof that Savage has manipulated the timeline for his own gain through the robot and his confession in the prison. The Time Master listens to the case but then orders Savage to be returned to Earth and for Rip’s team to be arrested. The Time Master is revealed to be on Savage’s side, explaining their hunt for the Waverider. The team is then taken into custody.

Notes of Tomorrow

• For those who want an update on the timeline, it looks like the Legends left sometime between episodes eleven and fifteen in Arrow. Felicity is still in her wheelchair!
• Looks like Jax has been sent back to 2016. Do you think he'll return?